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HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY

Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing

Foreword by Communities and Local Government ministers

Fire safety within the home is an extremely important issue, especially in mixed use premises and where unrelated occupiers, who live independently from one another, share common areas of the same building. This area of law is covered by both the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

We welcome this guidance which helps to manage the relationship between the Housing Act 2004 and the Fire Safety Order by offering advice and assistance to enforcers, landlords, managing agents and tenants, amongst others, on ways to make residential buildings safe from fire, regardless of which piece of legislation is relevant. When it comes to fire safety, everyone involved has an interest.

So we would encourage all those with an interest in these types of premises to read this guidance, ensure they are aware of their responsibilities to carry out a fire risk assessment, and make sure their property has adequate and appropriate fire safety measures in place.

Iain Wright MP Parmjit Dhanda MP Under Secretary of State Under Secretary of State with with responsibility for housing responsibility for fire safety

housing – fire safety 1

Contents

Acknowledgements

Part A: introduction 4

1. Purpose of guidance 4

2. Scope of this guidance 5

3. Intended readership and layout of the

guidance 6

Part B: fire risk assessment 7

4. Introduction 7

5. What is fire risk assessment? 7

6. Suggested method for carrying out fire

risk assessment 7

Part C: general principals of fire risk reduction 10

7. Introduction 10

8. General fire safety principles 11

9. Escape routes 11

10. Habitable basements 14

11. Unoccupied basements/cellars 14

12. Inner rooms 15

13. Galleries 15

14. Escape windows 16

15. Protected routes/stairs 16

16. Exit doors 18

17. Secondary means of escape 18

18. External stairways 19

19. Fire separation/compartmentation 19

20. Floor/ceiling partitions 21

21. Fire doors 21

22. Automatic fire detection and warning systems (AFD) 23

23. Lighting of escape routes 26

24. Emergency escape lighting 27

25. Fire fighting equipment (portable) 28

26. Automatic water suppression systems 29

27. Fire safety signage 30

28. Surface finishes 31

29. Floor coverings 32

30. Special provisions relating to back-to-back

houses 32

31. Mixed commercial and residential use 33

32. Management and maintenance of fire

safety 33

Part D: case studies of practical fire safety solutions in various categories of premises 36

33. Introduction 36

34. Single household occupancy buildings 37

35. Shared houses 39

36. Bedsit-type HMOs (lets) 43

37. Buildings converted into self-contained

flats 46

38. Flats in multiple occupation 49

39. Back-to-back houses 50

Appendix 1: legislation and statutory guidance 52

A.7 The Housing Act 2004: part 1 – housing health and safety rating system 52

A.31 The Housing Act 2004: part 2 – licensing of houses in multiple occupation 55

A.45 Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006 59

A.51 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

2005 59

A.61 The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 61

A.67 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 61

A.73 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations

1994 62

Appendix 2: Protocol between local housing authorities and fire and rescue authorities to improve fire safety 63

Appendix 3: Example form for recording significant findings from the fire risk assessment 70

Glossary 71 Some useful fire safety terms

Bibliography 74

Further acknowledgements 76


Acknowledgements

LACORS extends particular thanks to Kevin Thompson, author of this guidance and would also like to express its sincere appreciation to the following who made significant contributions:

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) with particular thanks to Andrew Griffiths

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) with particular thanks to Paul Dryden,

Communities and Local Government, with particular thanks to Brian Martin and Rhian Blackman.

DASH (Decent and Safe Homes, East Midlands) with

particular thanks to Martin Brown of Derby City

Council,

The National HMO Network Steering Group, with particular thanks to John Venables.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) with particular thanks to Elizabeth Brogan

The Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authorities and Local Authorities with particular thanks to Paul Rotherham

In preparing this guidance, LACORS wish to make it clear that:

(i) Legislation may change over time and the advice given is based on the information available at the time the guidance was produced. It is not necessarily comprehensive and is subject to revision in the light of further information;

(ii) Only the Courts, the Residential Property Tribunal or Lands Tribunal can interpret statutory legislation with any authority; and

(iii) This advice is not intended to be a definitive guide to, nor a substitute for, the relevant law and independent legal advice should be sought where appropriate.


Part A: Introduction

1. Purpose of this guidance

1.1 This document contains guidance for landlords and fire safety enforcement officers in both local housing authorities (LHAs) and in fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) on how to ensure adequate fire safety in certain types of residential accommodation. It offers practical advice on fire risk assessment and contains case studies with suggested fire safety solutions. Appendix 1 provides an overview of the legal framework in relation to fire safety, but landlords should be able to comply with fire safety requirements without a detailed knowledge of the legal framework. Where necessary, advice on enforcement matters can be sought from the LHA, FRA or appropriate landlord associations. The content of this document is intended as guidance only. Definitive interpretation of the legislative requirements can only be made by the relevant court or tribunal. The guidance applies to England, but Welsh statutory requirements are very similar and so the general guidance on fire risk assessment may also be relevant in Wales.

1.2 This guidance does not introduce new standards or regulations but builds upon existing good practice and guidance currently in place around the country. It aims to provide landlords and enforcing officers with assistance in complying with the legislative requirements in a consistent and reasonable manner. The guidance was subject to an extensive consultation exercise and the final content has received input from a large number of LHAs, FRAs and landlords as well as Communities and Local Government and the Chief Fire Officers Association.

1.3 This document does not set prescriptive standards but provides recommendations and guidance for use when assessing the adequacy of fire precautions in these types of premises. Alternative fire risk assessment methods may be equally valid in order to comply with fire safety law, and alternative approaches to individual fire safety solutions may be acceptable.

1.4 There is currently no national guidance available to landlords to help them understand and comply with the regulatory framework. This document aims to provide that assistance. It also offers guidance to enforcing officers on both the regulatory framework itself and on recommendations for some fire safety

solutions which will comply with that framework. The regulatory framework is summarised in paragraphs 1.6-1.8 and a more comprehensive explanation is offered in Appendix 1.

1.5 The guidance will be kept under review and further guidance may be issued. Any comments or enquiries should be addressed to LACORS at housing@lacors. gov.uk. Please note that LACORS will be unable to respond to queries from individual landlords and managing agents. Landlords with queries about fire safety regulation should contact their local council or fire and rescue authority.

1.6 The Housing Act 2004 brought in a new system of regulation for fire safety in existing residential premises by way of the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), licensing provisions for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and management regulations for HMOs. In practice the HHSRS is the principal tool used to assess and regulate fire safety standards, but HMO licensing conditions will reflect HHSRS assessments. The responsible person for the purposes of fire safety provision and maintenance at the residential accommodation is the person having control – usually the landlord, or alternatively in HMOs the manager. Previous fire safety guidance for HMOs contained in the Department of Environment Circular 12/92 has been withdrawn.

1.7 Alongside the Housing Act 2004, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) introduced duties in relation to fire safety in the common areas of HMOs note 1, flats, maisonettes and sheltered accommodation in which personal care is not provided. The duty is placed on the responsible person, who is required to carry out a fire risk assessment and take specific action to minimise the risk of fire in the common parts. ‘Responsible person’ means “the person who has control of the premises in connection with the carrying on of a trade, business or other undertaking”. In practice this will usually be the landlord, but in the case of absentee landlords where the “carrying on of the business” is undertaken by a managing agent it may be the managing agent. These provisions are enforced by fire and rescue authorities.

note 1: the order will not apply to some HMOs which are occupied as ‘shared houses’ – see paragraph 35 for further guidance.


1.8 There is therefore a dual enforcement regime in place in multi-occupancy premises. In order to avoid duplication and the potential for conflict, the Fire Safety Protocol established a framework for joint working arrangements between these two sets of authorities and is being adopted locally around the country to good effect. The protocol is included in this guidance at Appendix 2. In premises occupied by single households, only the HHSRS (housing health and safety rating system) will apply.

1.9 Guidance to fire and rescue authorities under the FSO has been issued in the HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide, published by Communities and Local Government (CLG) in May 2006. Guidance for local housing authorities under the Housing Act 2004 is contained in the HHSRS Operating Guidance and HHSRS Enforcement Guidance, both issued by CLG in February 2006. In order to underpin the fire safety protocol and offer practical guidance to enforcing authorities and landlords, several local and regional guides have also been developed around the country. Some excellent work has been done in this respect, but it has been widely recognised that a single set of national, risk-based guidance is needed to bring together and build upon this regional work and inform LHAs, FRAs and landlords in their application of fire safety solutions. Such guidance will help to simplify the dual enforcement approach and bring some national consistency. However, it should be noted that housing design varies across the country and there are certain types of houses specific to certain regions which require a specialist solution. In such cases, local guidance may be more comprehensive than that contained in this guide.

LACORS has produced this guidance in partnership with the Chief Fire Officers Association and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health in order to meet the above objectives. The guidance has undergone extensive consultation and received input from many LHAs, FRAs and landlord associations as well as individual landlords, housing and fire professionals.

2. Scope of this guidance

2.1 This fire safety guide is intended for buildings which have been constructed or adapted for use as domestic dwellings, and covers a range of existing residential premises including:

• single household properties;

• shared houses;

• bedsit HMOs;

• purpose-built flats and buildings converted into self-contained flats to a standard not in compliance with the Building Regulations 1991;

• sheltered accommodation in which personal care is not provided; and

• small hostels to which the HM Government Sleeping Accommodation Guide is inappropriate (application will be determined by the LHA and FRA jointly under the terms of the Fire Safety Protocol).

2.2 It should be noted that the guidance applies to the above types of premises regardless of tenure (i.e. whether owner-occupied, social housing or private rented sector).

2.3 This guidance does not apply to properties constructed or converted to a standard in compliance with the Building Regulations 1991 or later (and which still comply). Buildings converted and maintained to a standard meeting those regulations will not require additional fire safety measures unless occupied in a manner other than intended under the original construction or conversion scheme (for example occupation of a single household flat as a flat in multiple occupation or where some other additional risk has been subsequently introduced). Where a building did comply but has deteriorated significantly through lack of maintenance, damage or other alteration then it may require additional measures and this guidance should be applied. Where building regulation standards are subsequently raised it is not currently envisaged that further works would be necessary.

2.4 This guidance is also not intended to apply to:

• guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation used by tourists/visitors. However, this type of accommodation is sometimes used to accommodate single homeless persons as their sole home. In such cases this guidance may apply and the terms of the Fire Safety Protocol should be adhered to determine enforcement responsibilities (see Appendix 2);

• hotels and motels;

• large hostels for which the HM Government Suite of Guidance is more appropriate (see note in 2.1 above);

• refuges such as family accommodation centres and halfway houses;


• residential health and beauty spa centres; 3.2 The guidance is laid out as follows:

• residential conference, seminar and training centres;

• student halls of residence (including those managed by commercial providers) and areas of sleeping accommodation in other training institutions including military barrack-style quarters;

• areas of buildings in boarding schools that provide sleeping accommodation;

• seminaries and other religious colleges;

• sheltered accommodation where personal care is provided;

• residential care homes;

• holiday chalets and complexes, camping and caravan parks (except privately owned individual units); and

• areas in workplaces where staff ‘sleeping-in’ is a condition of employment or a business requirement, as in hotels; but not including tied accommodation such as separate flats, houses, apartments, HMOs and accommodation above pubs.

These types of accommodation fall under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and detailed fire safety guidance for them is contained in the HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide.

3. Intended readership and layout of the guidance

3.1 This guidance is aimed at those who manage, give advice, enforce standards or live in existing residential accommodation falling within the scope of this guide.

Typically this will include:

• private sector housing providers (landlords);

• social housing providers;

• managing agents or facility managers;

• enforcement officers in local housing authorities;

• enforcement officers in fire and rescue authorities;

• advice agencies;

• residential leaseholders;

• owner-occupiers (where appropriate);

• freeholders (where appropriate); and

• tenants in the accommodation types covered by the guidance (where they have an enquiry or dispute relating to fire safety standards in their home).

Part A: the introduction should be read by everyone using the guide as it lays out the purpose, scope and application of the guidance and the intended readership.

Part B: outlines the principles and methodology of fire risk assessment. This is particularly aimed at landlords and is intended to offer them guidance and assistance in a simple format in order to de-mystify the fire risk assessment process. It may also be useful to new enforcement officers or those returning to this area of work.

Part C: outlines the general principles of fire safety in residential accommodation. This part informs the reader how various fire safety precautions may be applied to reduce risk, and is a useful guide to all readers as it explains why the various fire safety precautions are recommended.

Part D: offers example case studies for various types of premises. The studies are intended to bring the principles in Part C to life. The studies given are examples of fire safety solutions. Other solutions may be equally valid. The studies must not be used as ‘off-the-peg’ solutions and should always be read in conjunction with Part C.

The appendices are intended as a reference source for all readers and include:

• a detailed explanation of the regulatory framework for fire safety;

• the Fire Safety Protocol which establishes the principles and describes the joint working arrangements between LHAs and FRAs; and

• an example form for recording the findings of the fire risk assessment which landlords may find particularly useful.

The glossary is intended as a plain English guide to some terms used in the guidance.

The bibliography offers sources of further reading for those seeking greater detail or researching the source of some of the guidance.


Part B: Fire risk assessment

4. Introduction

4.1 Where it applies the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) places a duty on the responsible person to take general fire precautions to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of the people on the premises and in the immediate vicinity. ‘Responsible person’ means “the person who has control of the premises in connection with the carrying on of a trade, business or other undertaking”. In practice this will usually be the landlord, but in the case of absentee landlords where the “carrying on of the business” is undertaken by a managing agent it may be the managing agent.

4.2 The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions and other measures needed to comply with the FSO. Although under the FSO this requirement only applies to the common parts of premises, in practice the responsible person will need to take into account the entire premises – including, to some extent, the units of accommodation themselves. While the FSO has limited application to certain types of property (see paragraph 35), the principles of fire safety risk assessment apply across the board, and their application should ensure compliance with all the legislation.

4.3 Having identified the general fire precautions that are necessary and having implemented them, the responsible person must put in place a suitable system of maintenance and appoint competent persons to implement any procedures that have been adopted. This could, for example, be a premises manager or agent, who need not necessarily be permanently on the premises but would ensure that the responsible person’s duties were observed.

4.4 Guidance on fire risk assessments follows in this section. More detailed guidance can be found in HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide, which is available on the CLG website at www.communities.gov.uk/firesafety.

5. What is a fire risk assessment?

5.1 A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at the premises, the activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

5.2 Most premises covered by this guide will be relatively small and will have a straightforward and simple layout, and little fire safety expertise is likely to be required to carry out the risk assessment. In larger buildings or where the building contains different uses (for example, residential accommodation alongside or above a separate commercial use) then specialist advice may be required.

5.3 The aims of the fire risk assessment are:

• to identify the fire hazards;

• to reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to as low as reasonably practicable; and

• to decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary to ensure the safety of people in the premises if a fire does start.

5.4 The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ should be understood in the context of this guidance:

• hazard: anything that has the potential to cause harm

• risk: the chance of that harm occurring.

6. Suggested method for carrying out a risk assessment

6.1 The guidance offered here follows the general methodology contained in HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide, but alternative approaches may be equally acceptable.

6.2 The assessment method suggested in this guide shares the same approach as that used in general health and safety legislation, and it can be carried out either as part of a more general risk assessment or as a separate exercise.

6.3 The fire risk assessment should be carried out in a practical and systematic way and enough time must be allocated to the exercise. In some larger premises and those with mixed uses, it may be helpful to divide the


www.communities.gov.uk/firesafety

building into rooms or a series of assessment areas using natural boundaries (for example kitchens, offices and stores; and corridors, stairways and external routes).

6.4 The process can be broken down into five steps:

1. Identify fire hazards (paragraph 6.5).

2. Identify people at risk (paragraph 6.10).

3. Evaluate, remove or reduce risk and protect against remaining risk note 2 (paragraph 6.14).

4. Record, plan and inform or train (paragraph 6.20).

5. Review (paragraph 6.25).

note 2: Part D of this guidance contains various example case studies which may help inform on appropriate precautions to remove, reduce and protect against risk.

6.5 Step 1: identify the hazards within the premises

6.6 For a fire to start, three things are needed: a source of ignition, fuel and oxygen. If any one of these is absent, a fire cannot start. Taking measures to avoid the three coming together will therefore reduce the chances of a fire occurring.

6.7 Sources of ignition: identify potential sources of ignition, i.e. sources of heat which could get hot enough to ignite any materials around them. In premises covered by this guide they may include:

• smokers’ materials such as cigarettes, matches and lighters (if people smoke within the premises);

• naked flames, for example candles and night lights;

• electric, gas or oil-fired heaters (fixed or portable);

• boilers;

• cookers, toasters and other kitchen equipment (especially when shared);

• faulty or misused electrical equipment;

• electric blankets, computers, TVs, washing machines and dryers;

• lighting equipment (fixed and movable), for example halogen lamps and table lamps;

• the electrical installation itself note 3;

• the gas installation note 3;

• arson attack; and

• in larger or mixed use properties, any plant rooms, lift motor rooms and so on.

6.8 Sources of fuel: anything that burns is fuel for a fire.

Things that will burn reasonably easily and are in large enough quantity to provide fuel for a fire or cause it to spread to another fuel source are potential hazards. In premises covered by this guide they may include the following, but this list is not exhaustive:

• furniture, furnishings, textiles, bedding, clothing and curtains note 4;

• laundry;

• accumulations of unwanted mail, waste paper, cardboard, newspapers and magazines (including that awaiting recycling collection);

• waste storage and refuse containers;

• flammable liquid-based products such as paint, varnish, thinners, adhesives, white spirit, methylated spirit and cooking oils;

• liquefied gas (LPG), paraffin, heating oils and petrol;

• paper products, packaging materials, stationery, advertising material and books;

• decorations for seasonal and religious occasions;

• plastics and rubber such as videotapes, polyurethane foam-filled furniture and polystyrene-based display materials; and

• wall, floor and ceiling coverings and surface finishes.

note 3: electrical and gas installations and appliances are subject to regulations which impose installation and maintenance requirements (the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994) (see Appendix 1, paragraphs A.67 and A.73). Compliance with these regulations will reduce the risk presented by some of the items listed above.

note 4: furniture and furnishings are subject to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (see Appendix 1, paragraph A.61). Compliance with these regulations will reduce the risk these items present.

Particular care should be taken when premises are undergoing alteration, repair or redecoration. During such times flammable materials that would not normally be present may be stored in the premises, possibly in escape routes or in rooms which are otherwise unused. Care should be taken as to where and how these products are stored. Premises which normally have good fire precautions and present a low fire risk may have their fire safety compromised by temporary careless storage of these products or by the disabling of fire precautions during the period of the works.


6.9 Sources of oxygen: in premises covered by this guide the oxygen source will be the air in the building. Where only normal natural domestic ventilation is provided the risk will generally be normal.

6.10 Step 2: identify people at risk

6.11 It is necessary to identify those who will be at risk if there is a fire and where they are likely to be found. In premises covered by this guide these will generally be residents and their visitors and anybody working in the premises such as a caretaker or cleaner and any visiting contractors. Only in buildings with mixed residential and commercial use are there likely to be other people to consider.

6.12 The risk assessment should consider people at risk, who may include:

• people asleep (who will be disorientated and slow to respond);

• people who are unfamiliar with the premises (guests and visitors);

• people with disabilities (including mobility impairment and hearing or vision impairment);

• people who may have some other reason for not being able to leave the premises quickly (such as parents with young children);

• people who are sensorially impaired due to alcohol, drugs or medication;

• unaccompanied children and young people;

• anyone working in enclosed, isolated parts of the building; and

• anyone who has difficulty understanding English.

6.13 In evaluating the risk to people with disabilities it may be necessary to discuss their individual needs with them or seek professional advice.

6.14 Step 3: evaluate, remove or reduce risk and protect against remaining risk

6.15 Hazards should be removed where it is practicable to do so, and where they cannot be removed they should be reduced as far as possible. What is considered reasonable in a particular case will depend on an evaluation of the potential to cause harm and the chance of that harm occurring. Some simple examples are given below:

• replace portable heating appliances with fixed convector heaters or a central heating system;

• ensure electrical sockets are adequate in number and sited appropriately to avoid overloading and trailing leads;

• ensure electrical, mechanical and gas equipment is installed, used, maintained and protected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

• ensure all furniture complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988;

• ensure combustible items such as furniture, laundry and decorations are stored properly and are kept away from potential ignition sources such as cookers, heaters and boilers;

• ensure refuse is properly stored and disposed of; and

• in crowded accommodation, provide adequate shelving and cupboard space so that everyday items are not in proximity to cookers, heaters and so on.

6.17 Having taken measures to remove or reduce fire hazards as far as is practicable, arrangements need to be put in place to protect people from the remaining fire risk as far as is reasonably possible by ensuring that adequate fire precautions are in place to warn people in the event of a fire and to allow them to escape to a place of safety.

6.18 The general principles of fire risk reduction are outlined in Part C, where guidance is also given on what measures should be implemented and to what standards, based on overall fire risk assessment.

6.19 Case studies of various types of premises and how these precautions could be employed to reduce fire risk are given in Part D.

6.20 Step 4: record, plan, inform, instruct and train

6.21 It is a good idea for everyone to keep a written record of their fire safety risk assessment. If you have five or more employees (including any who work part-time and not necessarily at the particular premises being risk-assessed), and if the premises are licensed, or if an alterations notice is in force (see Appendix 1, A.57) the law says you must make a written record of your risk assessment. In these cases it is the “significant findings” of the risk assessment that must be recorded. Significant findings are the actions to be taken as a result of the assessment and details of anyone at particular risk. Significant findings should include details of:

• the fire hazards that have been identified (but ignore trivial things such as a tin of solvent-based glue);

• the actions taken, or which will be taken, to remove


or reduce the chance of a fire occurring (preventive measures);

• persons who may be at risk, particularly those especially at risk;

• the actions taken, or which will be taken, to reduce the risk to people from the spread of fire and smoke (protective measures);

• the actions people need to take if a fire occurs. This will include any special arrangements made with staff such as housekeepers or others (the emergency plan);

• any information, instruction and training identified as being needed, and how it will be given; and

• any discussions that have taken place with residents (or, if appropriate, with staff).

It is recommended that a record of the significant findings of the fire risk assessment is kept in all cases, even where it is not a requirement to do so. An example template is shown in Appendix 3 – however, any alternative format will be acceptable provided it contains the information above.

6.22 An appropriate emergency plan should be put in place. In most residential accommodation this is unlikely to extend beyond advising residents what to do in the event of a fire or fire alarm and how to contact the fire and rescue service. In large or mixed use premises a more sophisticated plan may be necessary.

6.23 The responsible person must provide any employees with appropriate information and training on risks identified in the risk assessment and information on fire safety measures and procedures for the premises.

6.24 There is no requirement under the FSO to provide training to residents, but providing them with basic information on fire precautions is a simple and effective way of reducing fire risk in the premises.

6.25 Step 5: review

6.26 The risk assessment and the general fire precautions in the premises should be reviewed regularly. There is no specific timescale for this other than where there is a reason to suspect that it is no longer valid or where there has been a significant change in the premises.

6.27 In practice the fire precautions should be kept under constant review. Where problems are identified they should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Part C: General principles of fire risk

reduction

7. Introduction

7.1 Existing residential accommodation comprises a wide range of property types, occupancy arrangements and occupier type. Fire risks in rented accommodation, and in particular in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), can be complex. HMOs often provide accommodation for people from a wide range of backgrounds and may house vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. In some HMOs there is a high occupancy turnover rate with little social interaction or cohesion between occupiers. The mix of often poor-quality, low-cost housing and vulnerable occupants can lead to a higher than normal fire risk.

7.2 With these varying factors applying it is not credible to offer a single solution to fire safety which can be applied broadly. Fire safety solutions must instead be based on the level of risk presented by an individual property and its mode and level of occupation. Often alternative solutions are available which will provide an equally acceptable level of fire safety for a particular property, and sometimes identical properties may need different approaches due to differences in the types of occupation or the needs of the occupants.

7.3 This risk-based approach is enshrined in current fire safety legislation, in particular the housing health and safety rating system and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (see Appendix 1, paragraphs A.7 and A.51).

7.4 However, some basic fundamental principles apply to fire safety generally, and these must be applied flexibly to meet the needs of a particular property. These principles are outlined in this chapter and are brought to life in the case studies in Part D.

7.5 A risk assessment carried out on premises constructed or converted to a standard which would meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 1991, approved document B is unlikely to conclude that additional fire safety measures are required. Premises constructed/converted to that standard and subsequently maintained as such are likely to have adequate fire safety measures. The exception is where the premises are occupied in a manner other than that intended under the original construction

10 housing – fire safety

or conversion scheme (for example, occupation of a single household flat as a flat in multiple occupation, or where some other additional risk has been subsequently introduced). Where a building did comply but has deteriorated significantly through lack of maintenance, damage or other alteration it may require additional measures and this guidance should be applied.

7.6 In view of the type of properties falling within the scope of this guide, the fire safety approach adopted is to provide early warning of any fire to all occupiers and to ensure that they can safely evacuate the building to a place of permanent safety (total evacuation). Blocks of flats which were constructed or converted in compliance with the Building Regulations 1991, approved document B or equivalent may adopt a different approach such as ‘stay-put’ as the level of compartmentation means there will be a low risk of fire spreading beyond its unit of origin.

8. General fire safety principles

Figure C1 (below) illustrates some general principles which underpin fire safety in a residential context.

9. Escape routes

9.1 This section provides guidance on the general principles relating to escape routes along with examples of typical escape route solutions for different building layouts. Most residential premises covered by this guide will be considered as ‘normal’ risk. This is based on the general assumption that the occupants are able-bodied and will be capable of using the means of escape unaided to reach a place of ultimate safety, and that there are no unusually high risk elements. If this is not the case or there are other factors which present a higher than normal risk then additional measures may be required.

9.2 Layout of accommodation units themselves must be considered. Poor layout within a unit of accommodation can present a fire risk to the occupant before he or she is able to reach the escape route. Ideally, sleeping areas or rooms should be closer to the exit door to the accommodation than living areas or kitchen facilities (see also paragraphs 12 and 13 regarding inner rooms and galleries).

9.3 Wherever possible, fire risks such as the storage of significant quantities of flammable materials and ready


sources of ignition should be removed or reduced. If 9.6 When considering the safety of the existing escape it is not possible to do so, the risk should be regarded as ‘higher’ and the property may need a higher level of fire safety protection than normal. Other examples of higher risk might include very large premises, premises where there are integral commercial uses, and those with unusually poor levels of construction or with complicated layouts. Similarly, the occupancy of the building may present a higher than normal risk, thereby warranting a higher level of protection – for example where significant numbers of occupiers have limited mobility or are unable to move without assistance, or premises catering for people subject to alcohol or substance misuse.

9.4 Conversely, some premises present a risk which can be regarded as ‘low’. Examples may include premises with all of the following characteristics:

• a low occupancy level and all the occupants are able-bodied and capable of using the means of escape without assistance;

• very little chance of a fire occurring and few, if any, highly combustible or flammable materials or other fuel for a fire;

• where fire cannot spread quickly throughout the property and will be quickly detected so people can make their escape; and

• where there is more than one acceptable escape route.

9.5 The guidance on acceptable standards for escape routes in this document is based upon ‘normal’ risk.

route, in addition to the occupant profile it is necessary to consider:

• the layout and complexity of the route;

• the travel distance to a place of safety;

• the type of construction and state of repair; and

• the presence of other fire safety measures such as automatic fire detection and warning systems, emergency lighting or fire suppression systems.

Figure C2 (below): Some risk factors to consider

9.7 In all buildings a fully protected escape route (staircase) offering 30 minutes fire resistance is the ideal solution and it will usually be appropriate for all bedsit-type accommodation. However, in lower risk buildings (i.e. single household occupancy of up to four storeys and low risk shared houses), due to the lower risk and shorter travel distance to the final exit, this need not be insisted upon as long as all the following conditions are met:

• the stairs should lead directly to a final exit without passing through a risk room;

• the staircase enclosure should be of sound, conventional construction throughout the route;

• all risk rooms should be fitted with sound, close-fitting doors of conventional construction (lightweight doors and doors with very thin panels should be avoided); and

• an appropriate system of automatic fire detection and warning is in place (see table C4).


9.8 An alternative solution is possible in low risk twostorey shared houses. Where the first floor is no more than 4.5 metres above ground level, rooms used for sleeping could be provided with access to a suitable escape window from the first floor leading to a place of ultimate safety. In this situation consideration of the internal escape route is not essential. The option of escape windows will only be acceptable if they meet the requirements of paragraph 14, and, where they do not, the provisions of paragraph 9.7 should be usually applied. If it is necessary to pass through the common escape route to reach the escape window, consideration should be had to the travel distance involved. Where the common escape route is not a protected route, unusually long travel distances may be unacceptable and other fire precautions may be necessary (this will not usually be the case in conventional houses).

9.9 In the worst-case scenario, it may be that the requirements of paragraphs 9.7 and 9.8 cannot be provided and the only exit internally is through a risk room. Whilst this should always be avoided where possible, in some cases it may be impracticable to do so. Where this is the case it may exceptionally be possible to accept exit via a risk room provided the exit from the bottom of the staircase at ground floor level is possible in more than one direction (i.e. via either the front or the rear rooms). 30-minute fire resisting construction and FD30S fire doors between each of the ground floor rooms and the staircase will be required alongside an enhanced system of automatic fire detection. Where escape from the bottom of the staircase is only possible in one direction, a further alternative might be the installation of a water suppression system. These arrangements will generally be unsuitable for bedsit-type occupation.

9.10 When a fire starts, if there are no fire safety measures in place then the time that people have to escape before they become affected or trapped is extremely limited. The presence of fire safety measures extends this time. In practice this means the installation of some form of fire warning and detection system and an escape route which will remain unaffected by the fire for sufficient time to allow people to reach a place of safety. By necessity, the travel distance along the escape route must be limited.

9.11 Limiting the travel distance from rooms to a place of safety reduces the risk of people being trapped by a fire on their escape route. This guidance does not set a maximum travel distance, as this should be considered in the context of overall risk. However,

previous standards have suggested maximum safe distances. For example, nine metres was considered the maximum acceptable distance from a room exit door to a place of relative safety. This is a useful reference but need not be applied as a rigid standard, and may be increased or decreased depending upon the level of risk once the appropriate fire prevention measures have been put in place. When assessing travel distances, the distance should be considered from all parts of the premises to the nearest place of relative safety, which is:

• a protected stairway enclosure (storey exit);

• a separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of ultimate safety; or

• the nearest available final exit.

9.12 If there is a suitable second staircase or exit or if there are additional fire safety measures (an enhanced system of fire detection and warning, for example, or a water suppression system), the premises may be considered lower risk and the travel distances and levels of protection may be adjusted accordingly where this lower risk can be demonstrated.

9.13 In single room units or other accommodation which has an exit door leading directly to a protected stairway enclosure or a separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of ultimate safety, it will only be necessary to consider the travel distance from the furthest point within the unit to that exit door. It is unlikely that in the types accommodation covered by this guide the distance will be so large as to have any impact on safety, but if such cases do arise then additional safety measures may be appropriate. In any event, cooking facilities within these rooms should, wherever possible, be sited away from the exit door so as not to prejudice it in the event of fire.

9.14 In units with more than one room leading off an internal lobby or hallway (flats), the travel distance within that lobby/hallway will need to be considered. If it is unusually large or there are a large number of rooms leading off it (for example a large flat in multiple occupation), the travel distances may necessitate making the internal lobby/hallway a fire protected route; or it may necessitate the provision of an alternative exit or additional fire safety measures such as an enhanced fire detection and warning system or an automatic water suppression system. Doors to sleeping rooms within the unit should, wherever possible, be closer to the exit door than


doors to higher-risk rooms such as kitchens and communal living rooms.

9.15 In more complex buildings, such as those with more than one escape route or with complex layouts, greater attention to travel distances will be required. Such situations will not usually be encountered in the type of premises covered by this guide, but if so then the guidance contained in HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide should be followed.

10. Habitable basements

10.1 Consideration needs to be given to the fire risk presented to occupiers of any storey below the main entry/exit level of the house and the risk that storey poses to the remainder of the house. Such storeys may be true basements or lower ground floors where the main house entry level is raised above ground and accessed via steps.

10.2 Ideally, the fire separation between the basement and the ground floor (including the staircase soffit and spandrel) should be 30 minutes fire resisting, and a 30-minute fire resisting door should be fitted at the head of the basement stairs.

10.3 For single household occupancy or low-risk shared houses of no more than two other storeys (not counting the basement), it should be possible to accept existing construction provided it is of sound, conventional construction (such as plasterboard or lath and plaster ceilings) and is in good condition. In this situation it should also be possible to accept existing, well fitted and constructed solid doors within the basement, providing they are in sound condition and self closing. Solid timber doors and panelled doors of substantial construction may be adequate in these lower risk situations, but flimsy constructions and hollow infill-type doors (commonly known as ‘eggbox’) would not be. This can be difficult to assess and expert advice may be required.

10.4 In larger shared houses and other multi-occupied premises, full 30 minutes fire separation between the basement and ground floors should be expected, with a self-closing 30-minute fire resisting door with intumescent strips and smoke seals fitted at the head of the stairs to the basement. In some very large occupied basements, it may be appropriate to have two FD30S doors (top and bottom of the basement

staircase) to ensure that escaping occupiers do not have to escape up through a trapped layer of smoke and heat.

10.5 The standard of fire resistance of individual room partitions and of doors to rooms should be the same as for the remainder of the house.

10.6 Ideally, a separate exit to an ultimate place of safety should be provided from the basement level. If this is not possible then escape windows should be provided to all habitable rooms. To be acceptable, escape windows should comply with paragraph 14, and where they do not (security measures may preclude it or there may be no escape from the basement well) then a 30-minute protected route should be provided within the basement up to the ground floor. However, for single household occupancy and in low-risk shared houses of no more than two other storeys (not counting the basement), it should be possible to relax the 30-minute standard as in paragraph 10.3 above.

10.7 In all cases the same level of automatic fire detection and warning system should be installed in the basement as in the remainder of the house.

11. Unoccupied basements/cellars

11.1 Unoccupied basements and cellars are often neglected or used for storage. They usually contain electrical wiring and possibly electric or gas meters, and they often receive little attention. The basement/cellar may be one open void without partitioning. Alternatively there may be rooms but they may not have substantial doors, the doors may be left open or may be in disrepair. In either case, any fire will quickly attack the basement/ground floor partition and door. Because of its location the fire will spread rapidly upwards and prejudice the escape route from the ground floor. For these reasons, generally the fire separation between the basement and the ground floor (including the staircase soffit and spandrel) should be 30 minutes fire resisting, and a 30-minute fire resisting door should be fitted at the head of the basement stairs. However, for two-storey single household occupancies and twostorey, low-risk shared houses, if the basement is well maintained and managed it may be possible to apply the same relaxation in fire separation as in paragraph 10.3 above. In all cases the same level of automatic fire detection and warning system as in the remainder of the house should be installed in the basement.


12. Inner rooms

12.1 A room where the only escape route is through another room is termed an ‘inner room’ and poses a risk to its occupier if a fire starts unnoticed in the outer room (sometimes termed an ‘access room’). This arrangement should be avoided wherever possible. However, where unavoidable it may be accepted where the inner room is a kitchen, laundry or utility room, a dressing room, bathroom, WC or shower room.

12.2 Where the inner room is any other type of habitable room (for example a living room, sleeping room, workroom or study) it should only be accepted if:

• the inner room has access to a suitable door opening onto an alternative safe route of escape, or it is situated on a floor which is not more than 4.5m above ground level and has an escape window leading directly to a place of ultimate safety;

• an adequate automatic fire detection and warning system is in place (see paragraphs 22-25); and

• a fire-resisting door of an appropriate standard is fitted between the inner and outer rooms (typically FD30S standard for non-high-risk outer rooms).

12.3 Escape windows are only acceptable if they meet the requirements of paragraph 14.

12.4 In addition to the precautions outlined in paragraphs 12.1-12.3 above, in all cases the following additional requirements must apply for the arrangement to be acceptable:

• outer rooms should be under the control of the same person as the inner room;

• nobody should have to pass through more than one

outer room while making their escape; and

• ideally the outer room should not be an area of high fire risk, but if this is impracticable and there is no other option it could be accepted in this situation as exit via an escape window provides an alternative.

Figure C3 (below): Inner rooms

13. Galleries

13.1 Gallery accommodation has become popular in open plan studios and elsewhere where space is at a premium. To be acceptable a gallery should:

• ideally be provided with an alternative exit leading to a place of safety; or

• where the gallery platform is not more than 4.5m above external ground level it should have an escape window leading to a place of safety. Escape windows will only be acceptable if they meet the requirements of paragraph 14.

13.2 Where an alternative exit or suitable escape window is not possible, the gallery should comply with all of the following:

• at least 50% of the floor area of the room should be unobscured by the gallery;

• the distance from the foot of the egress stair from the gallery to the room exit should not be excessive (approximately three metres is a suggested reasonable maximum); and

• any cooking facilities within the room should be enclosed within fire-resisting construction or be sited remote from the room exit and gallery egress stair.


13.3 In all cases a suitable automatic fire detection and warning system should be in place (see paragraphs 22-25).

Figure C4 (below): Gallery where escape window is not possible

14. Requirements for escape windows

14.1 Any window provided for emergency escape purposes should have an unobstructed openable area that is at least 0.33m² and have a minimum 450mm height and 450mm width. The bottom of the openable area should not be more than 1,100mm above the floor.

14.2 Escape windows can only be considered if satisfied that it would be safe to use them in an emergency. They should meet the following criteria:

• they serve rooms whose floor level is no more than 4.5m from the ground;

• every room served by the escape window has access to it without entering another habitable room with a lockable door (unless of a type that can be overridden from outside the room without the use of a key, tool or numerical code) and any tenancy agreement should ideally prohibit the fitting of alternative or additional locks. (This will usually be achievable in single household occupancies and most shared houses, but is unlikely in a bedsit-type HMO);

• If it is necessary to pass through the common escape route to reach the escape window, consideration should be had to the travel distance involved. Where

the common escape route is not a protected route, unusually long travel distances may be unacceptable and other fire precautions may be necessary (this will not usually be the case in conventional houses);

• occupiers are able-bodied individuals with no specific high-risk characteristics and who can reasonably be expected to exit via the window unaided;

• there is no basement well or other encumbrance beneath the window such as railings or a conservatory;

• the escape window is openable from the inside without the use of a removable key; and the ground below is level and free of obstructions; and

• the window or door should lead to a place of ultimate safety, clear of the building. However, if there is no practical way of avoiding escape into a courtyard or back garden from where there is no exit, it should be at least as deep as the building is high.

Figure C5 (see page 17): Minimum requirements for escape windows

14.3 If any of the above requirements cannot be met, the use of the escape window should not be accepted and an alternative solution should be adopted.

15. Protected routes/stairs

15.1 A protected route is designed to remain free from smoke and fire for a time adequate to allow occupiers of the building to pass safely along it to a place of


safety. The level of fire separation required between the protected route and rooms presenting a fire risk is determined by risk assessment.

15.2 Ideally the recommended standard of fire resistance enclosing a protected route is 30 minutes for normal risk premises. However, subject to risk assessment, in lower risk properties (average single household occupancy or low risk shared houses) with automatic fire detection this may be relaxed (see paragraph 9.7). In such cases it may be sufficient to accept sound, conventional construction throughout the route. Larger properties, however, will require 30 minutes protection including fire doors. Areas of high fire risk may require 60 minutes protection. Examples of 60-minute requirement include:

• walls, ceilings and doors separating commercial uses from residential parts;

• walls, ceilings and doors separating areas of high fire risk, for example commercial kitchens, large boiler rooms or large stores;

• separating walls between buildings; and

• basement areas or cellars without automatic fire detection.

Further guidance on protected routes is given in the remainder of this section, and case study examples of suitable fire safety solutions are given in Part D.

15.3 The protected route should be maintained free of any obstructions and/or fire risks. In particular, the stairway should not contain:

• any portable electric, gas or oil heaters;

• any fixed heaters using a portable heating source such as liquefied gas;

• any cooking facilities; and

• any furniture or storage.

15.4 Storage cupboards should not be located in protected routes unless they are fire resisting and kept locked shut and smoke alarms/detectors are fitted within them (as appropriate). The exception is for all single-household accommodation and shared houses of not


more than two storeys, for which in most situations cupboards can be adequately managed so as not to present an additional risk and can be accepted.

15.5 Gas or electric meters and/or distribution boards should ideally not be sited in escape routes. However, it should be possible to relax this providing any gas meter is installed in accordance with the gas safety regulations and any electric meter is installed and sited in accordance with current IEE regulations. It is considered best practice to enclose such equipment in fire-resisting construction.

15.6 There is usually no requirement to provide protection to bathrooms and shower rooms which open onto protected routes. Properly installed and maintained central heating boilers, electric showers or water heaters and room-sealed gas water heaters pose little additional risk. However, if the room contains open flame or electric bar space heaters, storage cupboards or other risk items then either the storage cupboards or the room itself, as appropriate, should be protected to the appropriate standard in the same way as the remainder of the route.

16. Exit doors

16.1 Ideally, final exit doors from all premises should be fitted with locks/catches which are openable by the occupiers from the inside without the use of a removable key. This should always be the case in HMOs, including shared houses. Where security locks are fitted they should be of the type with a suitable internal thumb-turn to facilitate this. To safeguard security any glazed panels within the door or adjacent to it should replaced with protected glazing of some kind or protected in another way from intruders.

16.2 It is strongly recommended that the exit door from each unit of accommodation (bedsit or flat) is also openable from the inside without the use of a removable key.

16.3 Electrically operated locks must fail to safety (open) or have a manual over-ride in the event of power failure.

17. Secondary means of escape

17.1 In certain larger buildings and those with certain higher risk characteristics, a secondary means of escape will be required (for example in a six-storey bedsit-type HMO or

a five-storey bedsit-type HMO which does not have fire protecting lobbies to the risk rooms).

17.2 For the purposes of this guidance the term ‘secondary means of escape’ refers to a second, alternative means of escape from the building other than the usual escape route usually used to enter or exit the premises.

17.3 Typically a secondary means of escape will comprise an external staircase down the rear or side of the building. In some situations this may prove impracticable, and as an alternative a secondary means of escape could be achieved by creating a door through a separating wall or across a roof walkway into the common parts of another building which itself has a protected route leading to a place of safety. Such arrangements are undesirable and should be ‘designed out’ wherever possible. If no other arrangement is possible then this is usually only acceptable when the two adjoining buildings are under the same ownership/management or where the arrangement is reciprocal and a strictly enforced, legally binding agreement is in place. In an ideal situation, access to the secondary escape would be possible from every floor. However, this is usually impracticable, and access solely from the top floor will be acceptable provided the other fire safety precautions recommended in this guide are in place. In five and six-storey buildings, to protect the upward escape route at fourth and fifth floor levels from any fire on the floors below, there should be 30 minutes fire separation across the staircase between the fourth and fifth floors.

17.4 To be acceptable a secondary means of escape should meet the following requirements:

• have access from the common parts of the building, not solely from rooms, bathrooms or WCs (where this is impracticable, special arrangements may be made with the agreement of the LHA);

• terminate at ground floor level at a place of ultimate safety;

• the entire length of the secondary means of escape to be passable without the use of a key or other tool;

• access preferably by a standard door, but where impracticable via an opening of at least 800mm x 540mm;

• fixed walkways will be required across any roofs and the roof area beneath should be 60 minutes fire resisting;

• walkways and staircases should have conventional and emergency lighting throughout the route to the standards outlined in paragraphs 23 and 24.


17.5 Stairs comprising secondary means of escape should comply with the following:

• clear width (minimum 600mm, preferred 800mm);

• pitch 30-42 degrees from horizontal (optimum 35 degrees);

• going (depth of tread from front to back) 225300mm (optimum 250mm);

• rise (vertical distance between treads) 100mm220mm (optimum 175mm);

• treads to be flat and non-slip;

• handrails required on both sides (840-1000mm height);

• minimum headroom clearance 1.5m (2m perpendicular height preferable).

Further details are contained in BS 5395, parts 1 and 3.

17.6 Fixed or removable vertical ladders, pull-down ladders and unconventional devices such as lowering lines and cradles are not suitable as secondary means of escape.

18. External stairways (other requirements)

18.1 To be an acceptable secondary means of escape, any external stairway should ideally be protected from the effects of fire along its full length. Except for those serving non-risk rooms, doors or windows adjacent to the route and vertically below it should, where possible, be protected. Doors should be fire resisting and self closing. Windows should be of fire-resisting construction and, if possible, fixed shut. However, in reality this will be impracticable if the windows serve habitable rooms. In such cases the risk will need to be assessed. If a fire in the room could prejudice both the internal escape route and the secondary escape route at the same time, the risk will be unacceptable and alternative measures will be required if the room is to remain in habitable use. Alternatives might include additional fire-resisting lobby protection internally, re-siting of the risk windows, mechanical ventilation to the room or the provision of a water suppression system. If acceptable alternatives cannot be provided then the room may need to be converted to low-risk use (e.g. bathroom/WC). Research on the effects of fire from openings on external escape routes suggests that the sensitive area is approximately 1.8m horizontally (as shown in figure C6 below). These dimensions should be treated with some flexibility according to the risk presented.

18.2 The external stairway should be protected from the weather so that the treads do not become slippery.

If that is not possible then a regular maintenance schedule should be in place and non-slip tread surfaces fitted. A cyclical re-painting schedule to prevent weather decay should be in place. Stairways should have conventional and emergency lighting throughout their route to the standards outlined in paragraphs 23 and 24.

Figure C6 (see page 20): Protected zone around an external secondary means of escape

19. Fire separation and compartmentation

19.1 In addition to providing a protected escape route, it is necessary to restrict the spread of fire and smoke from one unit of accommodation to another. This is termed compartmentation. Fire-resisting construction enclosing each unit of accommodation creates a compartment that will contain fire and smoke within it for a period of time, leaving adjacent units free from the effects of fire during that time.

19.2 The recommended standard of fire separation in the types of premises of normal risk covered by this guide is generally 30 minutes. However, in lower risk premises (for example average single household occupancy or shared houses of no more than two storeys) this requirement can be relaxed (see paragraph 19.6). Where the fire risk assessment identifies specific higher risks then a higher standard of fire resistance may be required (usually 60 minutes) or additional fire safety measures should be installed. Examples of 60-minute requirement will include:

• walls, ceilings and doors separating commercial uses from residential parts;

• walls, ceilings and doors separating areas of high fire risk such as commercial kitchens, large boiler rooms or large stores; and

• separating walls between buildings.

Attention should be paid to any ductwork that passes through the separation. This will require protecting to the same standard of fire resistance as the partition itself.

19.3 Types of construction which meet the 30 minutes fire resistance standard are those tested to the relevant part of BS 476 or BS EN 13501. This will usually mean solid walls or timber stud partitions of a particular construction (with adequately fixed 12.5mm plasterboard and skim coat). However, many other


proprietary constructions and products are available which have been tested to these standards and have a valid test certificate demonstrating 30 or 60 minutes of fire resistance.

19.4 In general (but subject to paragraph 9.7 for lower risk properties):

• walls and ceilings separating individual units of accommodation should be constructed to provide a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance; and

• protected routes should be fully enclosed at all points by construction providing a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes.

19.5 Existing partitions of standard construction with adequately fixed 12.5mm plasterboard with skim coat, on correctly sized and spaced timbers and in good condition, can be expected to achieve a nominal fire resistance of 30 minutes and should be acceptable.

19.6 In many existing buildings, constructions will be encountered which are of a lesser standard (for example 9mm plasterboard partitions or original lath and plaster construction). It is likely to be impracticable and uneconomic to replace such partitions as a matter of routine whenever encountered. Where they are in sound condition and good repair they may be acceptable in lower risk premises (shared houses of no more than two storeys with no particularly vulnerable high-risk occupants, provided the other fire safety measures as recommended in Parts C and

D of this guidance are in place). It will be difficult to determine the exact construction of an existing partition without invasive inspection. A practical solution to this could be to accept partitions where both sides of the partition are constructed of sound plasterboard or lath and plaster in good repair. Where there is any doubt as to the sound properties or integrity of the partition it may be appropriate to replace it. If these constructions are to be considered in premises of higher risk than those described in this paragraph, it should only be within the context of the overall fire risk assessment. This is likely to conclude that compensatory fire safety measures (such as an enhanced system of automatic fire detection and warning, a domestic water suppression system or a secondary means of escape) are necessary.

19.7 Particular care must be taken with walls and partitions enclosing protected routes to ensure that they will restrict the passage of smoke and fire. Any openings around pipes, services or ducts that pass through fire-resisting construction should be fire stopped with materials of at least the same level of fire resistance as the structure itself. Many proprietary fire stopping products are available, but only those which provide the appropriate fire resistance when tested to the relevant part of BS 476 or BS EN 13501 are acceptable. Any services (such as cables) constructed of combustible materials or materials likely to melt or be affected by fire should be enclosed within fire-resisting construction and be fire stopped to restrict the passage of smoke and fire.


20. Floor/ceiling partitions

20.1 In most premises covered by this guide, floor/ ceiling partitions between units of accommodation should provide a standard of fire resistance of 30 minutes. The exception is those above areas of high fire risk which should provide 60 minutes. Floor/ ceiling partitions between any basement or cellar and the ground floor escape route should provide 60 minutes resistance, but this may be reduced to 30 minutes where the basement/cellar has an automatic fire detection and warning system to the standard recommended in paragraphs 27-30.

20.2 Inspection of the floors/ceilings as part of the fire risk assessment will determine the suitability of existing construction. Generally, ceilings constructed with 12.5mm plasterboard with skim coat and in sound condition will be adequate. Other proprietary constructions will be encountered and it will be necessary to consult the manufacturer’s fire test report to determine the standard of fire resistance and suitability.

20.3 Ceilings such as those constructed from 9mm plasterboard or lath and plaster (in sound condition) can be expected to provide a lower standard of fire resistance. However, this should be acceptable as part of an overall fire risk assessment in lower risk premises such as single household occupancy and shared houses of no more than three storeys with no specific higher risk factors present. Acceptability is conditional upon other fire safety measures being in place as recommended in this guidance (Parts C and D). If these constructions are to be considered in premises of higher risk than those described in this paragraph, it must only be within the context of the overall fire risk assessment, which includes the provision of compensatory fire safety measures such as an enhanced standard of automatic fire detection and warning system, a domestic water suppression system or a secondary means of escape.

20.4 Ceilings which are not in sound condition, particularly lath and plaster type, should be replaced or upgraded to provide 30 minutes resistance. This can be achieved by:

• removal and replacement of the existing ceiling with standard 12.5mm plasterboard and skim construction or alternative product/construction providing 30 minutes resistance and subject to a satisfactory fire test report;

• providing additional protection below the ceiling; or

• providing additional protection within the floor space above the ceiling.

20.5 There are a number of acceptable methods and products available for upgrading ceilings/floors. Only products accompanied by a valid test report should be accepted. The report will specify the fire resistance which will be achieved by the upgrading method. This is essential for all upgrading methods, but particularly so where proprietary products are being considered. Where in doubt, careful scrutiny of the fire test report is essential before acceptance. Particular attention should be paid to any suspended ceilings. Several products are available which provide adequate fire resistance and which are accompanied by acceptable test reports, but not all suspended ceilings are designed to provide 30 minutes fire resistance. Often they are installed for aesthetic reasons and may conceal a ceiling beneath which has collapsed or is damaged. In such cases the overall construction may provide little fire resistance. Where suspended ceilings already exist, ideally a test report should be required from the installer/manufacturer. Where this is not forthcoming a judgment will need to be made following detailed inspection, and specialist advice may be required.

20.6 Suspended ceilings which do meet an acceptable standard should be inspected regularly and well maintained as they can be easily damaged.

21. Fire doors

21.1 Where fire-resisting partitions are required, any doorways within them must be fitted with fire-resisting door assemblies providing fire resistance at least to the same standard as the requirement for the partition itself – so 30-minute partitions will require a 30-minute fire-resisting door, 60-minute partitions a 60-minute door:

• 30-minute doorsets are specified as FD30 (or E 30)

• 60-minute doorsets are specified as FD60 (or E 60)

The 30 or 60 figures denote the integrity performance time of the doorset in minutes. A letter ‘S’ after the figure (e.g. FD30S) or ‘Sa’ (e.g. E30 Sa) denotes a requirement for smoke seals to be fitted so as to restrict the passage of smoke, including cold smoke (see paragraph 21.3).

21.2 Most timber fire doors will need intumescent seals


fitted. The type and location of the seals varies with the door design and the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed.

21.3 In most situations fire-resisting doors should be fitted with smoke seals, as these restrict the passage of smoke into the escape route from the room where the fire is situated. The exception to this is where fire doors are fitted to rooms in premises where the fire detection system is restricted to the escape route (see paragraph 22.11/table C3). This will often be the case in three-storey shared houses. In these cases smoke seals should not be fitted, as their benefit will be outweighed by the fact that the smoke detectors in the escape route will only activate when the fire is at an advanced stage and beginning to breach the fire door. The resulting alarm may be so late sounding that the fire and smoke is already affecting the escape route. Where smoke detection is sited within rooms (LD2 coverage – see paragraph 22.11/table C3) the alarm will sound very early in the development of the fire and the smoke seals will be of benefit in keeping smoke out of the escape route, enabling occupiers to evacuate safely.

21.4 Fire doors should be installed and maintained in accordance with BS 8214:1990.

21.5 In most multi-occupancy situations, fire-resisting doors should be fitted with approved self-closing devices. This may be relaxed for doors within houses or flats occupied by a single household and doors within low-risk, shared houses. Doors to rooms within larger flats in multiple occupation and in larger or higher risk shared houses may require self-closers within the context of an overall fire risk assessment. Entrance doors to flats and bedsit rooms will always require them. Where fitted they should be of a type in compliance with BS EN1154 : 1997 (Power size 3 will usually be appropriate for FD30 and FD30S fire doors)

21.6 In lower risk premises where a full 30-minute protected route is not required (see paragraph 9.7 and case studies in Part D), it should be possible to accept existing, well fitted and constructed solid doors, providing they are in sound condition. Solid timber doors and panelled doors of substantial construction may be adequate in these lower risk situations. Non-fire-resisting glazed doors, doors of flimsy construction or hollow infill-type doors (commonly known as ‘eggbox’) should not be accepted. This can be difficult to assess and expert advice may be required.

21.7 The specification for the doorset on site should be identical to that specified in the test report for the doorset, which will be available from the manufacturer or supplier. Variations in any detail from the test specification may adversely affect the performance of the door. When new fire doors are to be provided, ideally an entire doorset construction should be fitted – thereby overcoming potential problems with fitting doors to frames of a different specification to that in the test construction. However, it is recognised that in some existing buildings of substantial construction this requirement may cause practical difficulties. If this is the case it may be possible to fit new fire doors to existing frames. This will, however, only be acceptable if the frames are of sound construction, in good condition, and of material and dimensions not less than those of the frame detailed in the test report.

21.8 The upgrading of non-fire-resisting door assemblies should be avoided wherever possible. The practice is generally impractical and uneconomic and is reliant upon strict adherence to an approved specification and upon a high standard of workmanship. Replacement with suitable, purpose designed and tested doorset constructions is always preferable. However, it is accepted that for aesthetic reasons it may be necessary to undertake upgrading rather than replacement. This will apply in buildings of special architectural interest and certainly in listed buildings where it is important to maintain the appearance or original features of the door. In non-listed buildings where there is no legal requirement to maintain the features of the door, property owners may still want to do so for aesthetic reasons. Whilst undesirable from a practical and fire safety viewpoint, upgrading may be acceptable subject to strict conditions. Not all doors are suitable for upgrading, so before undertaking upgrading the door must be assessed for suitability by a qualified person. Where the door is of a common construction and to a specification that has previously been subjected to a fire test and been considered suitable for upgrading, a standard method of upgrading may be specified. If the door type is unconventional it will need a specific assessment by a suitably qualified person who will issue an assessment report. The assessment report will specify the upgrading measures required.

21.9 There are several acceptable methods of upgrading available. They are restricted to those which have been successfully subjected to fire tests. Details of these are available from trade organisations such as TRADA† and from English Heritage† and in other practical and technical guides. Whatever method of


upgrading is being considered, it must be one which is accompanied by a valid and complete test report or an assessment report from a suitably qualified person. The report will specify the fire resistance which will be achieved by the upgrading method. This is essential for all upgrading methods but particularly so where proprietary products are being considered, and careful scrutiny of the report is essential before acceptance. When considering a report it is imperative that the door being considered for upgrading is of a design and specification corresponding to the door in the report. When the upgrading is carried out, the specification on site must correspond in all respects to that specified in the test or assessment report – including the specifications for intumescent strips, smoke seals, self-closers and ironmongery. Variations may adversely affect the performance of the door.

† TRADA : Stocking Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, HP14 4ND Website www.trada.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 01494 569600

† English Heritage, Customer Services Department, PO Box 569, Swindon, SN2 2YP Website www.english-heritage.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone: 0870 333 1181

21.10 Where existing upgraded doors are encountered and no test reports or records are available, it may be impossible to determine the likely performance of the door. In these cases, if, following detailed inspection, a sound comparison cannot be made with a tested and approved upgrading method (tested on a door of similar construction and dimensions), then it may be necessary to replace the door.

22. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems

22.1 The presence of a suitable, properly installed and maintained automatic fire detection and warning system will alert occupiers to the presence of a fire in its early stages and enable them to evacuate to a place of total safety before the escape routes become blocked by smoke or directly affected by fire. The system should wake people who are sleeping (who may otherwise be asphyxiated by smoke before being able to escape). It should also alert the presence of a developing fire in any hidden areas such as boiler rooms, storerooms, cellars and other potentially

unoccupied risk areas before that fire affects the escape route.

22.2 The type of system to be provided in a particular premises is dependent upon risk. A small single family house will only require a relatively simple provision of smoke alarms. Larger properties will require greater coverage, and large HMOs with a number of detectors will require a more sophisticated system including an integrated control panel and alarm sounders. Virtually all residential premises where people are sleeping will require some form of automatic fire detection and warning system.

22.3 The type of system installed should be in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839: part 6. This details different grades of system and extent of coverage and recommends an appropriate system based on the risk the premises presents. Relatively simple systems will be satisfactory for smaller, low-risk premises, but larger houses and HMOs will require a more sophisticated automatic system. In bedsit HMOs with cooking facilities within the bedsits and in blocks of self-contained flats then a mixed system is usually recommended, where the escape routes and common parts are protected by an interlinked system of alarms or detectors and the individual units have a separate stand-alone system to alert a sleeping occupant of fire in their own unit of accommodation. This has the benefit of reducing nuisance/false alarms throughout the whole property caused by activities such as cooking within any one unit.

22.4 BS 5839: part 6, The design, installation and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings, is not a prescriptive standard but is based on the principles of fire risk assessment. It should be treated with flexibility. The standards recommended in part 6 table 1 are to be regarded as base guidelines. Those recommendations will be appropriate for premises of normal risk, but where the risk is assessed to be lower or higher than normal then a lower or higher provision of detection and warning may be appropriate.

22.5.BS 5839: part 6 risk assessment criteria

22.6 General principles:

• system design must be appropriate to the risk;

• in assessing risk, consider each room in the dwelling separately;

• consider statistical data on fire incidence in each


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type of dwelling/room; and

• occupant characteristics are relevant (for example tenants with impaired hearing).

22.7 There is no risk low enough to negate the need for some form of detection and warning system in the house.

22.8 Design considerations/grades of system

22.9 BS 5839: part 6 grades fire detection and alarm systems for residential premises according to the complexity of the system. For the purpose of specifying fire detection and alarm systems and the associated engineering design parameters, there are six grades. In this guidance grade A and grade D are most relevant, but all six grades are described in table C2 for completeness.

Table C2: Grades of automatic fire detection and warning systems as specified in BS 5839: part 6 (2004)

Grade A: a fire detection and alarm system that is designed and installed in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839: part 1 (2002), except clauses relating to alarm audibility, alarm warnings for the hearing-impaired, standby supplies, manual call points and radio-linked systems, which are replaced by part 6.

This comprises a system of electrically operated smoke and/or heat detectors which are linked to a control panel. The control panel must conform to current BS 5839: part 4 (or equivalent). In general the system must incorporate manual call points which should be located next to final exits, and, in larger multi-storey properties, on each landing. The alarm signal must achieve sound levels of not less than 65dB (A) in all accessible parts of the building and not less than 75dB (A) at all bed-heads when all doors are shut, to arouse sleeping persons.

Grade B: a fire detection and alarm system including detectors (other than smoke or heat alarms), alarm sounders and control and indicating equipment which either conforms to BS EN 54-2 (power supply to BS EN 54-4) or to a simpler type laid out in annexe C of BS 5839: part 6.

Grade C: a system of fire detectors and sounders (which may be combined in the form of smoke or heat alarms) connected to a common power supply with

both mains and a standby supply, with an element of central control – for example a small dedicated fire control panel.

Grade D: a system of one or more mains-powered smoke (or heat) alarms each with integral battery standby supply. These are designed to operate in the event of mains failure and therefore could be connected to the local lighting circuit rather than an independent circuit at the dwelling’s main distribution board. There is no control panel.

Grade E: a system of one or more mains-powered smoke (or heat) alarms with no standby power supply. This grade of system will not function if mains power is disconnected or interrupted. It must therefore be wired to a dedicated circuit at the dwelling’s main distribution board.

Grade F: a system of one or more battery-powered smoke alarms. These are not recommended in HMOs.

note: in grades D, E, and F, where more than o

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